CeNTI -
Traceable and environmentally friendly cellulosic fibres
Within the Fiber4Fiber Project's scope were developed soluble pulps - from Portuguese eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) - optimised for producing cellulosic-based textile fibres, namely Viscose and Lyocell.
The Project intended to create a technological infrastructure, as well as acquire scientific and technological knowledge, for local production of cellulosic fibres from pulp, and thus, shorten the logistics chain. In this way, national innovation and a more ecological European Textile Industry was promoted. The consortium included the company Caima, CeNTI and CITEVE - Centro Tecnológico Têxtil e Vestuário.
The innovation factor
Fiber4Fiber brings innovation to the Portuguese Textile and Clothing sector by enabling the production of fibres in the national territory, using local raw materials.
Currently, the dissolving pulp (DWP) resulting from the transformation of Eucalyptus globulus wood into cellulosic fibres (Lyocell and Viscose) is generated in Portugal but sent outside Europe to produce textile fibres and technical yarns. These products then return to be used in textile manufacturing. Fiber4Fiber presents itself as a conception between two important Portuguese industries: the pulp industry and the textile industry.
The consortium has gone even further, introducing, in the process, traceability and functional agents into the pulp. The traceability technology identifies the raw materials' origin along the value chain and distinguishes and classifies it as sustainable and coming from responsible management.
The Fiber4Fiber Project was co-financed by Portugal 2020, within the scope of the Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (COMPETE 2020) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).